A feel-good story about defying fate, a villainous female lead, a master of saying one thing and doing another, and a devoted believer in Machiavellianism~
==
Li Jinhuai is the Sage Emperor's third son. Though born to the empress, she was raised outside the palace from a young age and received no affection from her parents.
She was no good at either literature or martial arts, and spent her life studying calligraphy, painting, and cuisine.
She thought the throne was forever beyond her reach, but who could have expected that fate would take an unexpected turn and the throne would eventually fall into her hands?
Li Jinhuai surveyed the situation:
1. The Khitan, a powerful northern enemy, are invading the borders.
2. The regional military governors are paying lip service to the court while doing as they please.
3. Worse still, the powerful ministers and imperial guards in the capital are openly harboring treasonous ambitions.
Well then.
A hellish, inherited uphill battle from the start. Luckily, turning the tables is exactly what she does best.
==
Serious blurb:
A young prince with no desire to rule is forced by the hand of fate, step by step, to ascend the throne.
Her mother is stripped of her position as empress and secretly put to death in the palace.
Her eldest brother dies in battle, leaving behind a widow and an orphan.
Resolutely shouldering the responsibilities that fall to her, Li Jinhuai swears to take care of her mother and everything her brother left behind.
But even Li Jinhuai can't say for sure whether she is taking care of Rong Wenyi or Rong Wenyi is taking care of her.
==
Coming attractions:
1. Childhood sweethearts: The beautiful older girl next door x an innocent young prince
2. A coming-of-age romance, with a six-year age gap
3. The pursuer's role is the weaker one and the pursued's the stronger one, but you'll have to guess who's who (place your bets!)
4. Future sister-in-law romance: both are each other's first and only
5. Raising a child: the little girl is the daughter her eldest brother left behind (not the older sister's child!)
6. This is a serious historical drama, the second installment of the Red Attire Era series
Content warnings:
1. A woman disguises herself as a man
2. Li Jinhuai has had a first love
Theme: Promoting gender equality and opposing discrimination against women
